Space Surplus Metals on Church Street is the last of an era. This area around Canal Street was filled with industrial suppliers, many of them virtual institutions. Just a few who have gone out of business: Canal Lumber, Tunnel Machinery, Industrial Plastics, Canal Hardware, Bob Michaels (metals). Canal Rubber, which I wrote about on May 12, and Pearl Paint still survive.
Owned by Victor James (that’s him in the photo) and his wife, both from India, Space Surplus has been around since 1979. You can find anything metal here – brass, copper, zinc, aluminum, steel in sheets, rods, etc. And he cuts at no charge. I love the homey, quaint interior. His space is only 55 ft. x 13 ft., with a rent of nearly $5000 per month. With Victor at 80, his wife at 86, and rent the way it is, I would visit soon – our days in NYC with such places are numbered. More photos…
Update: Space Surplus Metals has since gone out of business.
Fascinating!!!
This reminds me so much of what it used to be like in Lisle Street (which is now part of Chinatown). There used to be any number of odd shops. 30 years ago.
Hey Brian, just wanted to say thanks for this small bit about my grandparent’s shop. It means a lot to me that even complete strangers can appreciate my grandparent’s and their shop. This place has so many memories that I will never forget.
Oh, I am so disappointed. I was looking all over the city today for copper tubing…not to be found unless I wanted 10 feet of it. I am a metal smith and need a much smaller amount. Space Surplus metals was the place to find unusual metals to experiment with. This store was a special source for artists.